Agenda and minutes

1.            APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR FOR 2012/13

The Committee considered the appointment of the Chair and Vice-Chair to the Area Committee for 2012/13

RESOLVED: That

(1)            resolutions (1) and (2) of Minute No.1 of 21 May 2008 be rescinded to enable resolutions (2) and (3) below to take effect;

(2)            Councillor Veidman be appointed Chair of the Area Committee for the Municipal Year 2012/13;

(3)            Councillor McGinnity be appointed Vice-Chair of the Area Committee for the Municipal Year 2012/13; and

(4)       newly elected Councillors Bennett, J. J. Kelly and Roche be welcomed onto the Committee and Councillor Cummins be welcomed back to the work of the Committee.

No apologies for absence were received.

Members and Officers are requested to give notice of any personal or prejudicial interest and the nature of that interest, relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the relevant Code of Conduct

The following declaration of interest was received:

Minutes of the meeting held on 14 March 2012

These items are for general discussion.  Anybody attending the meeting is welcome to speak (subject to the Chair’s discretion)

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 March 2012 be confirmed as a correct record.

Report of the Neighbourhood Inspector

Update on crime statistics and area interventions since the last meeting

5.            POLICE ISSUES

The Committee considered Inspector Prosser’s report on crime statistics for February, March and April 2012, comparing them with the statistics for the same period in 2010 and 2011 as follows:-

Inspector Prosser reported on a number of issues, including:

• Burglaries had been made a key priority, with 30 offences recorded in April and 15 so far in May – many of these offences had occurred in the Brownmoor Park area and in properties backing onto the Rimrose Valley Park.  Many of those responsible were not from the Crosby area.  A number of initiatives were in place to target this offence, including Smartwater Kits and signage.  A number of arrests had been made, including two suspects arrested recently in Formby, who Inspector Prosser strongly believed may also be responsible for some of the burglaries in Crosby.  Some of the incidents involved patio doors being smashed, but in other cases windows and doors had been left insecure.
• Robbery had also been made a key priority, although there had been no offences so far in May.  Six offences had been recorded in April, which was higher than average, but a number of arrests had been made.  One young man had been arrested in connection with two robberies and was still in custody.  An arrest and charges had been made in connection with a robbery at a newsagents in College Road.  There had also been a robbery at a local Ladbrokes bookmakers in Crosby Road North when a knife had been brandished.  However, good quality CCTV pictures had been obtained and published in the “Liverpool Echo” , leading to a suspect being arrested and charged and a further arrest being made today.
• now that the weather had improved, certain categories of anti-social behaviour, including that associated with the use of scrambler bikes, had worsened.  Quad bike officers had recently issued seven warnings and the power to seize vehicles would be used if further incidents occurred.
• a shooting incident in Abbotsford Road, Blundellsands and a number of other incidents involving firearms in the Merseyside area had led to the Police deploying additional resources to address this issue.

Inspector Prosser also responded to the following points raised by Councillors.

• changes to the crime statistics which made  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

A period of 20 minutes (or longer at the discretion of the Chair) will be set aside for a Public Forum.

Members of the public can ask questions, raise matters, or present petitions on issues that are relevant to Sefton Council.  The person asking a question will be allowed one supplementary question.

A question form indicating the person’s name and address must be completed and submitted to the Committee Administrator as soon as possible and by no later than 15 minutes before the meeting starts i.e. before 6.15 p.m. or by 3.00 p.m. for faxed (0151 934 2034) or on-line submissions http://forms.sefton.gov.uk/openforumquestion/

Question forms can be obtained from the Committee Administrator prior to the meeting.

(If the questioner does not attend the meeting or nominate a representative to attend (at the discretion of the Chair), the question will not be read out, but a written response will be forwarded to the questioner).

If a response to a question cannot be provided at the meeting, the Neighbourhoods Division will contact the relevant department for a formal response and the resident will be contacted directly in writing

·                    Issues considered:

The following questions/comments/petitions were submitted:

(a)       A petition with 41 residents’ signatures requesting the closure of Enfield Avenue at its junction with The Northern Road, Crosby.  It was agreed to request the Traffic Services Manager to submit a report on this request to the next meeting of the Committee.

(b)       Mr. G. Williams referred to the display of a party political sign on land where the Mere Park duck pond, Blundellsands was located, during the recent local election campaign.  He understood that £1,000 of the Area Committee’s delegated budget had been allocated to fund repairs to the duck pond in March 2011 and he questioned the appropriateness of using a board funded by Area Committee monies for party political purposes.

            It was agreed to request the Director of Corporate Commissioning to forward a written response to Mr. Williams.

(c)        Mr. P. Proudley referred to the consultation process prior to the consideration of the proposed Zone 302 Residents’ Privileged Parking scheme, Waterloo (see Minute No. 74 of 4 January 2012 and Minute No. 82(g) of 14 March 2012) and pointed out apparent inconsistencies with previous consultation exercises.  It was confirmed that there was a report on the proposed scheme later on the agenda and that all representations on the matter would be taken into account.

(d)            Further to Minute No. 51(b) of 2 November 2011, Mr. W. Wilson asked when a written response would be sent to the question posed by Mr. I. Hunt concerning the sand dunes adjacent to Seaview Terrace, Waterloo.  The Committee Administrator, Mr. M. Morris, agreed to contact the relevant officer to ensure that a response was sent to Mr. Hunt.

Report of the Director of Corporate Commissioning

Update on area management issues resolved since the last meeting

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Corporate Commissioning on the area management activities that had taken place in Crosby since the last meeting.

The report indicated that the Neighbourhoods Division provided a co-ordination role for dealing with area issues.  Queries were forwarded to the Neighbourhoods Division in a number of ways, via a number of different sources; and in order for Members to be aware of progress made on these issues, the area management report had been compiled.

The role of partner agencies would also be included in this report in the future to update Members as to how other agencies were working on area issues.

Members referred to a number of local issues for investigation and asked for the layout of the report to be improved.

RESOLVED:            That

(1)       the Area Management update report be noted; and

(2)            Members or residents be requested to contact the Neighbourhoods Division with any further area issues.

Verbal update from Parish Council representative(s)

These items are for consultation or information of interest to the local community.  Anybody attending the meeting is welcome to speak (subject to the Chair’s discretion)

These are formal decisions to be taken by the Members of the Council.  Only in exceptional cases will the Chair allow contributions from the public (Advisory Group Members may speak but not vote)

Hightown

Parish Councillor Warren indicated that following the recent Hightown Parish Council Annual General Meeting, he was no longer Chair of the Parish Council.

He was delighted that sufficient funds had been found to complete the Formby to Hightown cycle/pathway.

He expressed the Parish Council’s concern about the deterioration to the surface of the footbridge over the railway at Hightown Station.  He understood that there was to be a review of all footbridges over railway lines in the borough, but the one in Hightown had only been refurbished last year.

He understood that the issue of the placing of a memorial bench in the village had been resolved.

Sefton

Parish Councillor Draper indicated that there was nothing to report in relation to the Sefton Parish area.

Report of the Director of Street Scene

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Street Scene seeking approval for the location and provision of outdoor gyms within the Crosby area.

The report indicated that the gyms would be fully funded by Sefton Primary Care Trust and that it was now proposed to install new equipment at the four sites referred to below:

• Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre – upgrade from Neighbourhood to District (from 5 to 8 items of equipment)
• Moorside Park – Neighbourhood (5 items of equipment)
• Crosby Coastal Park near to Hall Road Car Park – Neighbourhood (5 items of equipment)
• Hightown Children’s Park, Hightown – Local (3 items of equipment)

and that the site selection process had included consultation with Friends of Parks Groups where available.

RESOLVED:

That the sites selected for the provision of outdoor gyms in Crosby be approved.

Report of the Head of Business Intelligence and Performance

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Business Intelligence and Performance that advised of the progress regarding recruitment to the Sefton Citizens’ e-Panel and the development of the Sefton Youth e-Panel.

The report indicated that Sefton Council was committed to engaging and consulting with residents and other stakeholders to improve the services it provided; that as part of this commitment, Sefton had reorganised the need for regular consultation on a variety of subjects; and that this had been undertaken on the Council’s behalf by an external company.

The Council had now established an online Sefton Citizens’ e-Panel, that was open to people aged 16 and over who lived, worked or studied in or visited Sefton, who would be asked to respond to several surveys per year; and that similarly, a Youth e-Panel aimed at 13-19 year olds in education or training was being developed.  It was acknowledged that there would be some cross over between the main e-Panel and the Youth e-Panel but that this was considered necessary as the Youth e-Panel may address different issues that would be relevant for 16-19 year olds.

RESOLVED:            That

(1)       the report on the recruitment to the Sefton Citizens’ e-Panel and the development of the Sefton Youth e-Panel be noted; and

(2)            Members of the Area Committee be requested to encourage local residents to join the Sefton Citizens’ e-Panel.

Report of the Director of Built Environment

Further to Minute No. 82(g) of 14 March 2012, the Committee considered the report of the Director of Built Environment indicating that the petition in relation to the above scheme had been duly referred to the Cabinet Member – Transportation.  The Cabinet Member had re-affirmed the Council’s policy to charge for residents’ privileged parking permits; re-affirmed the current consultation methodology; and referred the matter back to this Committee for a decision on the progression of the scheme.

RESOLVED:

That this Committee re-affirms its original decision that all residents in Fir Road, Rockland Road and Sycamore Road, Waterloo, be offered the chance to obtain permits at a charge of £20 each and replacement signs relating to the residents’ privileged parking scheme be re-introduced and the existing parking bay road markings be re-painted.

Report of the Director of Built Environment

Further to Minute No. 87 of 14 March 2012, the Committee considered the report of the Director of Built Environment indicating that the petition in relation to the above scheme had been duly referred to the Cabinet Member – Transportation.  The Cabinet Member agreed that the method and scale of the consultation undertaken was commensurate with the small scale of the actual scheme.  In addition, he had noted that, prior to the consultation process, discussions took place with Ward Members regarding the scale of the scheme and subsequent consultation and adjoining residents had the option to object via the legal notices in the local Press and the notices on site.

However, the Cabinet Member recognised that it may have been beneficial for the proposed scheme to have been more widely publicised, albeit not as part of the formal consultation process.  It was suggested that, in future, for small scale schemes being promoted and funded by Ward Members, those Members should be mindful of the possible ‘knock-on’ effect on surrounding areas when determining the extent of the proposed scheme and they should consider whether to carry out additional publicity via their normal constituents press releases/leaflets etc., to keep adjoining residents informed.  This would run concurrently with the formal consultation process carried out by officers.

The Cabinet Member noted the contents of the petition; re-affirmed the current consultation methodology; and referred the matter back to this Committee for a decision on the progression of the scheme.

RESOLVED:

That consideration of the scheme be deferred pending the identification of funding for an equitable solution for all the residents who are affected by parking problems in the Manor Road area.

Report of the Director of Built Environment

Further to Minute No. 75 of 4 January 2012, the Committee considered the report of the Director of Built Environment on the receipt of an objection to the above Order.

RESOLVED:            That

(1)       the proposed Traffic Regulation Order to prohibit waiting at any time at the junction of Forefield Lane and Bellair Avenue, Crosby, be made as originally advertised; and

(2)       the objector be advised accordingly.

Report of the Director of Built Environment

Further to Minute No. 73(4) of 4 January 2012, the Committee considered the report of the Director of Built Environment on a proposed change to the existing Traffic Regulation Order for limited waiting bays on St. John’s Road, Waterloo, the effect of which would give residents of St. John’s Road an exemption from the limited waiting restriction.

RESOLVED:            That

(1)       the making of a Traffic Regulation Order to provide an exemption to the limited waiting bays on St. John’s Road, Waterloo, be approved; and

(2)       the necessary legal procedures, including those of public consultation and advertising the Council’s intention to implement the Order, be approved.

Report of the Director of Built Environment

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Built Environment which sought approval for the progression of Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs), to provide disabled residents with a parking place directly outside their place of residence in Ferndale Road and Sussex Street, Waterloo.  The report indicated that all new TROs for Disabled Parking Permits allowed for the provision of a numbered permit which restricted the use of the bay to the applicant only.

RESOLVED:            That

(1)       the Traffic Regulation Orders as set out in the plans at Annex A and as detailed in the report, be approved; and

(2)       the Traffic Services Manager be authorised to undertake the necessary legal procedures, including those of public consultation and advertising the Council’s intention to implement the Orders.

Report of the Director of Built Environment

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Built Environment on the proposed progression of simplified Traffic Regulation Orders at various locations.

RESOLVED:            That

(1)       the Traffic Regulation Orders relating to Blundellsands Road East, Somerville Road and Willoughby Road as set out in Annex A to the report, be approved; and

(2)       the Traffic Services Manager be authorised to undertake the necessary legal procedures, including those of public consultation and advertising the Council’s intention to implement the Orders.

Report of the Director of Corporate Commissioning

Update on Area Committee budget resources available

Further to Minute No. 90 of 14 March 2012, the Committee considered the report of the Director of Corporate Commissioning indicating that the balance of the budget available for allocation during 2012/13, including sums set aside for the provision of litterbins and street signs, was £64,703.74 and setting out details of the progress of schemes for which funding had previously been approved.

RESOLVED:            That

(1)       the Ward budgets for 2012/13 be noted;

(2)       the ongoing schemes for which funding was provided in 2011/12 be noted; and

(3)       the Director of Corporate Commissioning be requested to obtain full details of services and facilities which would be funded by the Council in the Hightown area, including village green and verge maintenance; flower beds; Christmas trees etc.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 11 July 2012 at SING Plus, Cambridge Road, Seaforth, commencing at 6.30 p.m.

RESOLVED:

That the next meeting be held at 6.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 11 July 2012 at SING Plus, Cambridge Road, Seaforth.